Tidal developer Atlantis Resources has agreed to share the distribution network connection for its MeyGen projects with Wind Harvest’s 9.2MW Lochend wind farm in Caithness.
Atlantis will allow the four wind turbines to deliver power to the grid whenever the MeyGen tidal project is not making full use of the available export capacity.
The 6MW Phase 1A of the MeyGen project was recently connected to the 33kV Ness of Quoys distribution network and is slated to deliver first power by the end of the year.
Atlantis said the part of the distribution network to which MeyGen is connected is constrained, restricting access for other developers until wider transmission upgrade works are completed over the coming years.
Chief executive Tim Cornelius said: “We believe this to be a world first, and to show that the predictability of generation from the tides can also benefit other forms of renewable energy by allowing those generators to accurately forecast and access spare grid capacity.
“Sharing transmission assets in this way and capitalising on the predictability of tidal power will ensure that, in the long term, our energy needs are better served whilst also maximising access to a constrained network in the immediate future.”
Cornelius said that its plans to develop MeyGen and other tidal sites in Scotland were on track.
“Whilst we cannot claim tidal power is able to lend the same predictability to the current political climate, we are pleased to say that our project remains unaffected by recent events.
“The government’s acceptance of the fifth carbon budget at the level recommended by the Committee on Climate Change sends a clear signal and further demonstrates the UK’s ongoing commitment in meeting its long-term climate change targets.”
Atlantis has meanwhile taken delivery at Nigg Energy Park of the nacelle, hub and blades for its first Andritz Hammerfest Hydro HS1000 1.5MW turbine for MeyGen Phase 1A.
Image: AHH turbine nacelle, hub and blades at Nigg (Atlantis)
